Topic
The Paracel Islands, known as the Xisha Islands in China and the Hoang Sa Archipelago in Vietnam, is a group of more than 30 islands in the South China Sea located between the coastlines of Vietnam and China. They are currently controlled by China but also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. The islands were the scene of a naval battle between China and then South Vietnam in January 1974, after which China gained control of the entire archipelago.
- The vessel Xiang Yang Hong 10 began operating in the EE zone on May 7, is the most significant incursion since 2019 – now perceived as a ‘worrying escalation’
- It is ‘legitimate and lawful’ activity, because China has sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and its adjacent waters, a foreign ministry spokesperson said
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says China is worried about activity by the state energy firm Petronas in a part of the South China Sea that Malaysia says is its territory, but that it is ‘unequivocally and firmly committed to protecting … sovereignty, rights and interests in its maritime areas’.
The Haixun 03 will enable safety authorities to support services stationed 1,200km away on Subi Reef, analyst says.
Chinese sea and air forces monitored and issued warnings to drive away the USS Milius, PLA Southern Theatre Command says.
PLA says USS Chancellorsville guided-missile cruiser entered waters off archipelago, evidence of American ‘militarisation’ of South China Sea.
Pottery, porcelain and coins recovered in archaeological survey of ‘unprecedented’ scale in disputed waterway.
The vessel will be patrolling and supervising hundreds of islands in the area where many countries have overlapping claims.
USS Benfold had been asserting its right to navigate through the waters under international law, according to US Seventh Fleet. PLA spokesman says it was warned off after entering Chinese territorial waters illegally.
Yoon Ju-dong, senior official of company which operated tugboat escorting Jumbo out of Hong Kong, says it was ‘an accident without any foul play involved’.
USS Connecticut photographed moored in Guam with part of its nose removed, suggesting head-on collision with object, experts say.
Vietnam is likely to continue its pragmatic balancing act between the two powers, and remain a reliable partner to all, say analysts.
The Shiyan 6 will improve China’s ability to develop resources and safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, state media report.
Maritime regulations ‘must not infringe upon rights enjoyed by all nations under international law’, says Pentagon spokesman.
It comes amid escalating tension between China and rival claimants, as well as Western nations led by the US and its expanded military presence in the region.
PLA is conducting live ammunition training in the South China Sea, Yellow Sea and Bohai Strait. It will finish as American, Indian, Australian and Japanese navies begin high-profile Malabar exercise.
On anniversary of tribunal’s rejection of Beijing’s claim, USS Benfold warned it will pay price if it does not leave vicinity of Paracels.
The ship named Sun Yat-sen University will be used for atmospheric and marine research projects, professor says.
The foreign ministry in Beijing says Monday’s flight was a routine activity that was in accordance with international law.
USS Curtis Wilbur’s freedom of navigation operations near Paracel Islands ‘shows these waters are beyond what China can lawfully claim as its territorial sea’.
Activities in waters near Hainan, Paracel and Spratly islands have ‘threatened China’s maritime law enforcement and national defence security’, Naval and Merchant Ships says.
China, Vietnam and the Philippines occupy the most features in the disputed waters, and all three are expanding their presence and building military facilities.
TV footage is undated but broadcast as People’s Liberation Army begins a month of exercises, in the week of a Taiwanese drill simulating an attack on its reefs.
Chinese military tests response to repeated attack far offshore, state media report.
